Ever Have a MASSIVE MOMMY TEMPER TANTRUM???

You may need to have the machine serviced. My tension was off due a part breaking internally. As an aside I gave one of my sister-in-law's a baby quilt I made. There were several tantrums thrown while trying to make that quilt. The finished product was far from perfect but I told her while I lacked talent, I had made the blanket with tons of enthusiasm and all my love. She's a cold fish but I could see that blanket with all its flaws meant the world to her just the way it was. Sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees.

I toss a really good fit when necessary :).

My son even asked me the other day who put me under a spell because I had something to say to everyone. I put my smile on after that :).

No suggestions...but wanted you to know you are not alone. Without writing out a big long story...a couple of years ago I was baking my son's birthday cake for his party. I had a ton of other things to do as well (cleaning, decorating, good bags) and had to rebake that cake THREE TIMES! There were some issues, needless to say. By the third time I did have a tantrum. Threw the stupid mixer (it had broke) and got chocolate all over my kitchen. Then, I was pissed cuz there was chocolate everywhere. Sigh.
L.

I have been know to throw a fit...
'Veruca Salt' style!

Ha-Ha!

Oh, yes, I have had those (mama meltdowns)... but I'll leave that part alone.
The sewing machine has been my arch nemesis for many, many years! Both my mom & grandma are excellent seamstresses and have made beautiful clothes, blankets, and other miscellaneous sewing projects over many years. I however, did not get the "sewing gene." When I was young, my mom would try to show me how to sew "simple patterns" (like to make blankets for my Barbies/baby dolls), when I got to high school, she tried to get me to help make garment bags for my band friends, in college, she sent me away with her "old faithful" machine and a fantastic starter package of fabric, threads, and other items. I got as far as hemming ONE curtain panel before that machine found it's way back to the box in the back of my storage unit. Now that I have a kid who is outgrowing all of her clothes, a house that requires like a million curtains, and I have a dedicated "craft room," we've decided to give it another go. I think I finally have the hang of it...

So, my problem was always with the bobbin--make sure the thread is on the bobbin correctly (not too tight or loose--the machine should be able to thread it for you) and that the bobbin is on the reel (metal holder that clips into the machine) in the correct direction. That was my biggest problem, and would ALWAYS cause my thread to bunch up, pull, and break! Do you have any nearby family or friends who sew? If yes, I would suggest inviting one of them over for lunch/dinner and ask for a quick tutorial. If not, call around to sewing machine repair shops (or even a JoAnn's) to ask if they can help. A lot of times, they'll just tell you to bring in your machine and they can give you a quick tutorial--of course, it's always nice to repay the favor by buying something.
Good luck, I'm like the "blind leading the blind" here, but I have hope for myself (and you)!

HAHA AWW! You poor thing :) See if there are any family owned knit shops around or if any of the big chain stores offer classes... sometime's it's easier to have someone right there with you, watching, giving feedback, etc... rather than staring at the t.v. or computer. You can do it!! :)

And yes, I've had more than my fair share of tantrums... the actual yelling and throwing things tantrums are far and few between, but mine are usually I stop in the middle of being completely overwhelmed, smile this big creepy smile, calmly tell everyone I have to go to bed, then slam my door, bury my head in the blankets and kick and scream and cry and let is all out!! It's soooo ridiculous but sometimes, it's necessary :)

Well, to answer your question, oh yes, this mommy has had her share of meltdowns. They happen when I am PMSing and they really suck! I never had to deal w/ PMS until after my daughter was born when I was 36 so it really still catches me off guard. On top of it all, my periods are now moving closer together (21-23 days apart, oh joy) so that throws me off and by the time I'm realizing in my head that I'm PMSing, it's often too late and I'm in full blown big B mode :(

Sorry about your frustration w/ the machine; I'm giving our daughter a new sewing machine for Christmas, so I'm sure we'll be running into these issues soon, as well. Good luck!

okay...where is the tangle happening at? If it's by the spool than perhaps it wasn't strung right. If it is by the needle than most likely the thread is not facing the right direction. Try pulling out about 6 inches of thread by the needle. Hold the thread while slowly, manually bring the needle down and then back up, this should capture the bottom thread. Push the bottom thread toward the back of the machine and pull the top thread in between the feet and toward the back as well before sewing. Hope this helps :)

The sewing machine and I .. do not have a good relationship.. My husband and the machine get along perfectly..

Joanns has lessons and they might be able to help you get you started?

I choose not to sew for that reason.

The stores that sell fabric, sewing supplies, etc are often very helpful. I would see if you can go back to where you got it and watch them use a machine (or show you). Also - many of them give lessons.

My mommy tantrums usually end up with me taking a bubble bath...and smelling the fear come through the door that I will blow my gasket before I get out of the tub!

Last night we were late to my parents house...my husband pulls into Starbucks and starts ordering. he asked if I wanted something I said "NO, we're late, I don't want to hear about how I stopped at Starbucks, and I was already late"....he had a daddy tantrum for the rest of the evening, cause he didn't get Starbucks!

Often times, the thread on the bobbin/machine, gets tangled because the tension, of it is too loose.
Try checking that.
OR the thread is not threaded, properly.

Or, it can be that the top and bottom stitches, are not the same size/stich. Hence, the tension and stitches, are off, hence tangling.
Try checking that.

Where is the thread getting knotted up?
On the bottom or top of the material?

Yes, I have had, Mommy tantrums.
Not fun.

Yes, and it also always happens to be when I am using the sewing machine! That is when my "colorful" language comes out!
I have found that if the thread is not perfectly threaded through all the parts of the machine, that is when the thread knots up. Good luck!

Oh my, this is funny! I bet you will get many more hilarious stories about frustrated "mommy moments"!

I cannot sew for the life of me, so more power to you!

HA! Laura's post got me thinking of the time I tried to bake a cake from scratch for my sister's birthday. Let's just say I had to send my husband to the store the next day because we needed a cake ASAP!!!

I would check to make sure your bobbin is threaded and inserted properly. Whenever my thread tangles it is always a problem with the bobbin.

OMG!! I am having a similar problem with my handheld sewing machine. And yes I too feel like throwing a tantrum or maybe the sewing machine against the wall. I got this to hem my daughter’s pants. I always buy them big in the waist and then have to hem them.

Step away from the sewing machine, take a deep breath and go back to it later or tomorrow.